Collapsible and extensible table



y 1953 ca. CARTER ET AL 2,836,476

COLLAPSIBLE AND EXTENSIBLE TABLE Filed March 6, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 /7I r:.- l 29 x I 7 fli I g9 /7 3W 5 jg /\9 g i ew .5

//4 F; 6 MVEMOR: 62 0/5 51 634872 50 A9 Les i'er J. C/l/Pfffi? ATTORNEYMay 1958 G. CARTER EI'AL 2,836,476

COLLAPSIBLE AND EXTENSI BL E TABLE Filed. March 6, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS ATTORNEY y 1958 G. CARTER El'AL 2,836,476

COLLAPSIBLEZ AND EXTENSIBLE TABLE iled March 6, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3TIT... E

26 30 27 Q/o x 41 INVENTORS 11 650865 CARR-e...

a" ATTORNEY United States Patent COLLAPSIBLE AND EXTENSIBLE TABLE GeorgeCarter and Lester J. Carter, Plains, Mont.

Application March 6, 1957, Serial No. 644,304

1 Claim. ((11. 311-84) The present invention relates to a collapsibleand extensible table and it consists in the combinations, constructionsand arrangements of parts herein described and claimed.

Generally there is provided a foldable and extensible table whichconsists of a horizontally extending frame provided with alongitudinally extending vertical recess adjacent each side thereof inwhich recesses pairs of legs are adapted to rest when the table is infolded condition and from which the legs extend when the table is inoperative condition. Novel means is provided for mounting the pairs oflegs to the frame and novel means is provided for latching the legs intheir extended positions. The

legs are of novel shape whereby to be wholly receivable in the aforesaidrecesses. A novel table top is slidably mountable upon the frame and anovel extension piece is provided when it is desired to extend theusable space atop the same.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device of thecharacter set forth which is simple in construction, inexpensive tomanufacture and yet effective and efficient in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a device of thecharacter set forth, novel latching means for pairs of legs forming apart of the invention.

Still another object of the invention is to provide legs of novelcontour which may be wholly receivable in recesses forming parts of theinvention when the table is in inoperative or folded condition.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in a device of thecharacter set forth, novel mounting for pairs of legs forming part ofthe invention.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a device of thecharacter set forth, a novel extension piece for a table top forming apart of the invention.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from areading of the following specification taken in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line3-3 of Fig. 2,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4of Fig. 2,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5of Fig. 2,

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the device, certain portions beingshown in section, and illustrating certain latch mechanisms in retractedpositions,

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of Fig.6,

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 2,

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing certain latchmechanisms in retracted position,

2,836,476 Patented May 27, 1958 ice Figure 10 is a sectional view takenalong line 10-10 of Fig. 2, and

Figure 11 is a reduced perspective view of an insert or extension memberforming a part of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown therein adevice of the character set forth comprising a frame having a pair ofhorizontally extending vertical side members 10 each of which hasinwardly spaced therefrom by means of blocks 11 identical housingmembers 12 each of which forms with its adjacent side member 10 thehorizontally extending vertical pocket 13. lnwardly spaced from thehousing members 12 and likewise spaced from each other is a pair ofhorizontally extending vertical brace members 14. A pair of top crossbars 15 is afiixed adjacent either end of the frame to the members 10,12 and 14 and a like pair of lower cross bars 16 is aflixed, adjacenteach end of the frame, to the sides of the members 10, 12 and 14, bothpairs of cross bars 15 and 16 being inset into the members to which theyare attached to provide a greater rigidity.

An axle 17 is rotatably mounted in a transverse direction adjacent eachend of the frame and each of the axles has its opposed ends terminatingin one of the pockets 13. A supporting leg 18 is affixed to each endportion of each of the axles 17 and each leg 18 is therefore mounted formovement into and out of its associated pocket 13. Each axle 17 hascentrally provided with an operating handle 19 which extends radiallytherefrom and in the general direction of the legs associated therewith.

Each leg 18 is provided with a vertical outer edge 20 and an inner edge21 which extends downwardly and outwardly with respect to the table whenthe legs are in extended or vertical condition as shown, for example, inFigure 1 but which slanting inner edges 21 abut one another in each casewhen the legs are in retracted position as shown, for example, in Figure7.

Immediately below each of the axles 17 is located a pair of latchmembers each generally designated at 22, such latch members 22 eachbeing shown in detail in Figures 8 to 10, inclusive.

Each of the latch members 22 consists of a rod 23 having a handle 24 atits inner end and extending outwardly and laterally of the frame andeach rod 23 extends slidably through its associated members 14 and 12and, when the legs 18 are in extended position, through an opening 24provided in each of the legs 18 and is receivable in a socket 25 formedin the inner face of the associated member 10. A collar 26 is aifixed tothe rod 23 between its associated members 12 and 14 and normally liesadjacent the inner face of the member 12 when the latch member 22 is inlatched position. A collar 27 is slidably mounted upon the rod 23 and isadapted to abut against the outer face of the member 14. A compressionspring 28 surrounds the rod 23 and bears against the collars 26 and 27.

A table top is provided in two complementary sections 29 each of whichhas a trackway 30 affixed to the underside of each of its side edgeportions and which trackways are slidable upon tracks 31 aflixed to theupper outer face of each of the members 10. Each complementary part ofthe table top is provided at its outer end with a dependent skirt 32.

A hook 33 is attached to the underside of the inner end of the trackways30 carried by one of the parts 29 while an eye 34 is carried in acorresponding position upon each of the other two trackways 30.

To complete the invention there is provided a transversely extendingextension member 35 each of whose end portions is provided with adependent skirt 36.

In the operation of the invention, it will be apparent that When thetable is in its folded condition as shown,

for example, in Figures 6 and 7, that the angular faces 21 of the legs18 will be in abutting relation to each other thus making it possiblefor all of the legs 18 to lie whollywithin their pockets 13. ,Atthistime the inner ends 'ofeach*of therods 23 will beargagain'st theinner face of its associated leg 18 thus frictionally'maintaining thelegs in such foldedcondition Within their pockets 13. jln'suchcondition,the table willoccupy a minimum of space so that it may be stored withthe two portions 29 of the top in positionupon the frame while at thesame time the extension member 35 may be positioned within the frameconveniently between the two members 14;

'When; however, it operative position, it isonly necessary to grasp twoof the opposed handles 24 and to force them toward each other, asindicated in Figure 9 to thus free the inner ends of the rods 23 fromfrictional engagement with the associated legs 18 whereupon bymanipulating the handle 19 of the associated axle 17, thepair of legsmay be extended to vertical position as shown, for example, in

a Figure 1. This will bring the openings 24a of the associated' legs18into registry with the ends of the rods 23 whereupon,- by releasingthe handles 24, the rods 23 will be forced by means of their'associatedsprings 28 through the openings 24a into engagement with the recesses25. This operation may be repeated at the opposite end of the tableutilizing the two remaininghandles 24 and their associated mechanisms. 7p

Ordinarily, the two portions 29 of the table top are interlocked bymeans of thehooks 33 and eyes 34. When it is desired to'extend theoperating surface 'of the table, it is ony necessary to disengage thebooks 33 from their eyes '34 and to place the extension member 35between the innerends of the top portions 29 first, naturally, removingthe portions 29 away from each other so that such extension ma y bereceived therebetween and afterwards moving the portions 29 toward eachother to abut the extension 35, it being apparent that the skirt members36 will overlie theouter faces of the side members 10. 40

Thus it will be seen that there is provided a device is desired to placethe table in 1 which may be folded into an extremely compact conditionyet one which, when extended, will provide a sturdy,

useful and extendable table:

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein,it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minormodifications may be made Without departingfrom the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is: 1 j

A device of the character described comprising a horizontally extendingframe having a horizontally extending vertical pocket formed adjacenteach side thereof, a pair of transversely extending rotatable axles eachmounted in said frame adjacent each end thereof, a table leg afiixed toeach end of each of said axles within said pockets, and latch means formaintaining said legs in vertical relation to said frame, said meansincluding a pair of opposed spring pressed rods foreach pair of legs,said legseach having openings forreceivin'g one of said rods when saidleg is in vertical relation'to the frame, said-springs nor-1 mallyurging said rods to latched position, and said frame having sockets forreceiving said rods when thellatter are extended through said legs, eachof said rods :being provided at its inne'r end with a handle, and eachof-said axles being provided with a centrally disposed radiallyextending operating handle. n

7 References Cited in the file of this'patent UNITED STATES PATENTSFrance 'lan.' 14, 1930

